If you’re like me, you pride yourself in finding the perfect gift for your friends and family! You’re on a quest to find something that is both unique and a great match for their personality and interests and sometimes that’s really hard! I’m here to help you make a match!

My Etsy shop is well stocked for all of your holiday gift needs. Use coupon code: STAR2015 for 20% off of your purchase. Please note: all orders placed between Dec 3-12 will be shipped on Dec 14-15. Orders on other dates will ship, as usual, in 1-3 business days.

Here are a roundup of ideas if you’re stumped on what to get some folks on your holiday list!

For your favorite knitter:This mug has a rich surface both visually and physically. The dots feel great in your hands when you’re cupping the bottom of this mug. Available in my Etsy shop and at Lillstreet Gallery in Chicago.

For households with (or without!) kids:
These foaming soap dispensers are great for anyone who uses soap (which is everyone!), and they are especially great for households with kids. The foam is really easy for them to spread on their hands, and the heft of the dispenser means it’ll stay put and not get knocked over easily. I also have a selection of non-foaming dispensers in my shop. Both are available at Gallery 360 in Minneapolis.

For folks with kids or with pets:Travel mugs / lidded cups are great when you have little beings (kids or furry friends) running around and running the risk of knocking over your precious, and much needed cup of coffee. These lids will help minimize the spillage and keep your drink hot! They can be used with or without the lid and are microwave/ dishwasher safe. They come in a variety of sizes of styles/ sizes/ shapes.

For those on the go:
These travel tumblers with silicone lids are perfect for that special someone who is always on the go- commuting to work, heading off to a pottery class or hanging out in the back yard and want to keep the bees out of their beverage! They come in a rainbow of colors and the texture of the dots keep this handle-less mug from slipping in your hand.

For the special kid in your life:
Kids love using real pots and I love making special pots just for them! As adults, we try to limit the exposure kids have to plastic and what is a better alternative to our plastic saturated world than one of a kind, handmade porcelain mugs! These mini-mugs sell out quickly and I’m continually making more, so be sure to check back regularly for more colors and designs!

For a graphic designer:This thrown and altered “cut and paste” plate is the perfect gift for the graphic designer in your life!

For the host(ess) with the mostess:
It can be hard to find a small, inexpensive AND handmade gift! You might need one for your kid’s teacher, for a host(ess), for a neighbor that brings in your mail when you’re away or to have on hand in case someone unexpectedly gives you a thoughtful gift and you want to have one to be able to reciprocate! These little dishes are just $20 (plus 20% off that with coupon code STAR2015). They’re perfect for dipping dishes, spoon rest + teabag holder, jewelry holders or an infinite number of other uses! Chopsticks not included – but you could add a couple of pairs or a box of tea to make a sweet little gift!

For the new homeowner (or apartment dweller):My porcelain honey pots are the perfect gift for someone who has just moved into a new home. Or maybe you know that they LOVE honey. Pair with a jar of local honey to make a thoughtful wedding gift or housewarming gift!

For the coffee lover:
And of course the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life is a handmade porcelain mug! Everyone has a preference for the perfect type of mug. Some like a BIG mug. Others like a smaller, americano sized cup. Some prefer mugs with a narrow opening to keep their beverage extra hot. And some like a mug with a tactile surface that they can feel while quietly enjoying their morning tea.

You can pair a handmade mug with a bag of your favorite coffee. Mine is Terra Nova which is my brother’s coffee roasting company located in Surry, NH. You can buy some here!

Or you can pair it with a print of this this and include it with their new mug. I include the ounces that each cup holds in the descriptions in my Etsy shop so if you know someone’s favorite beverage, you can use this chart to be sure you’re getting a mug that fits their favorite espresso drink (you just have to convert ML to OZ).

*Don’t forget that orders placed between Dec 3-12 will ship on Dec 14-15. All other orders will ship in the usual 1-3 business days. Plenty of time to arrive before Christmas!

Thank you so much for supporting me throughout the years! It brings me so much joy to be able to do what I love and send my pots out into the world!

If there is something that you’re wishing that you could find, but don’t see in my shop, just ask. My full inventory is not listed online and I still have 1 decal firing to go before Christmas!

In my head, I’ve been writing/ blogging all along. Months have not passed since my last post. Throughout the week, I compose many posts in my head. But then when the kids are in bed, the dishes are done and I sit down at the end of the day, I realize that my brain is not running on full power and I just don’t have it in me to write. Instead I tend to post on Instagram and Facebook. I can complete my thoughts in those formats and enjoy some instant conversations. But I miss the longer format of blogging. And I’m going to work on getting into the habit again. For now, some updates!

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Even though I haven’t been blogging about it, I have been making pots steadily. I have two little ones (1 and 4) but I have managed to arrange a pretty consistent schedule of making. I’m in the midst right now of a cycle of glazing/ firing/ decals/ firing. My studio is a mess and I’m excited to see some new work coming through the kiln and wishing that I had just a little more time to follow through on new ideas that are flowing. I need to clear out some space in my studio for my new work so I’m having a flash sale in my Etsy shop. Until October 15th, you’ll get 30% off your whole purchase with coupon code: COFFEE30 (in honor of International Coffee Day too). Mugs (regular and travel!), kid cups, soap dispensers (foam and regular!), vases, plates and platters. Get ahead with your holiday shopping or get yourself a little something!

When I brought some mugs up to the backyard to photograph, my daughter was playing out there and really wanted to be in the photo. So here she is, sampling one of her favorite kid sized cups!

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Although I do miss the more in depth discussions that happen on a blog, I have been having so much fun on Instagram. This is a photo that someone sent me of a honey pot of mine they had given to their mom for Christmas and this is it filled with honey from her own hives! So exciting to see my pots being used like this.

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I recently got to spend a fully immersed clay weekend at the Northern Clay Center at the American Pottery Festival (mark your calendars for the 2nd weekend of September for next year’s conference, seriously!!). My head is still trying to process all of the amazing pots, inspiring talks and demonstrations and connections with friends new and old. One of the pots that made it home with me was this awesome alphabet plate from Jason Bige Burnett. Here is my youngest hanging out with it – alternating signing “eat” and tapping on the plate.

At the American Pottery Festival, I had a great conversation with Mary Barringer about getting back into the habit of writing (as I referenced above). So here I go… getting my toes used to the water.

I’m having a little impromptu sale this week in my Etsy shop until Monday!

Just head over to my Etsy shop, and when you are checking out, use coupon code SPRING2014 to get 20% off your order, plus $5 flat shipping. Sale ends next Monday, April 14th, so don’t wait!

The reason why my shop will be closed again after the sale is because I’m expecting another daughter in just 2 weeks!

This was me in Milwaukee for NCECA a few weeks ago:Ada is super excited to be a big sister!

I have been working like crazy to get a bunch of work done before I get lost in the world of a newborn. Right now everything is just greenware or bisque. So when I do get back into the studio, eventually, I’ll be glazing up a storm!

I’ve been working on a squared dinnerware set. These are the mugs part of the series:

Ada has been hanging out with me in my studio, getting her hands a little dirty… and tiring herself out!

I’ve been having a great time throwing… wishing that there were either a few more hours in the day, or I had a little more energy at the end of my pregnancy :)

I did somehow manage to have enough energy to get to NCECA in Milwaukee last month. It was so fun to see so many friends and meet some folks that I have only know through this blog or my Facebook page. Not to mention some great talks, demos and exhibitions! And I picked up a few new tools, like these MKM rollers:So now you can see why I haven’t been posting on here much lately. But I do post regularly on Facebook, Twitter and starting to post a little more regularly on Instagram too.